A sheltered waiting area at the Little India Bus Terminal has been transformed into a new community sports venue, with the launch of ActiveSG Courts @ Farrer Park, featuring eight dedicated pickleball courts.
The facility, officially opened on March 14 by Minister of State for National Development and Trade & Industry and Adviser to Tanjong Pagar GRC Grassroots Organisations (Moulmein-Cairnhill), Alvin Tan, highlights how underutilised urban spaces can be repurposed to meet Singapore’s growing demand for sports facilities.
The project is part of a broader national effort to expand sporting infrastructure. During the 2026 Committee of Supply debate, the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth announced plans to build an additional 50 multipurpose courts for badminton or pickleball across Singapore over the next five years to meet rising interest in the sports.
The initiative falls under the Sports Facilities Master Plan by Sport Singapore, which aims to bring innovative, accessible, and affordable sporting facilities within a 10-minute walk of most homes by 2030.
The Little India Bus Terminal was used mainly on Sundays for migrant worker transport services and remained largely unused for the rest of the week. “Through very good collaboration between SportSG and our LTA colleagues, we decided to unlock this space for sports,” Mr Tan said.
Pickleball was chosen due to its growing popularity, particularly among residents in nearby neighbourhoods. “My father said that when the court bookings open next week, both of us should come and play here together. I will definitely be coming,” said Ms Afra Farveen Haneefa, 25.
Historically regarded as one of Singapore’s early sporting centres, Farrer Park once hosted football fields, boxing gyms, tennis courts, and swimming facilities. Mr Tan said the broader vision is to revive the area as a key sporting hub.
When completed, the upcoming sport park will include a sheltered swimming complex, a children’s pool, inclusive gyms, and a multi-purpose play area.
Mdm Angayarkanni Balan, 72, said, “I have been living here on Buffalo Road for over 40 years. Previously, when the Farrer Park Stadium was here, we used to go and exercise there with the family. Now that these new courts have opened, it’s a new experience. I have never played this before. From now on, we are planning to practice here with the family.”
The courts can be booked through the MyActiveSG+ platform and will be open to the public from March 16. Peak-hour slots will be allocated through a balloting system that opens 14 days in advance, while non-peak slots and unassigned peak-hour slots will be released on a first-come, first-served basis from 12 days before the booking date.
The courts will operate from Mondays to Saturdays, from 9am to 9pm, while the facility will continue functioning as a bus terminal on Sundays.
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14 Feb 2026 20:23
